Diabetic anyone?

[Kenna]

I have a new, awesome primary care doc who has immediately set me up with an in-house, special pharmacist/diabetic class...(unlike the delays and mess ups when I worked for the hospital and then the state Medicaid office...both of which couldn't get it together regarding employee benefits or diabetic supplies) ...

I've had two, one hour meetings with my pharmacist where she goes over my meds in consideration to my other health concerns, nutritional stuff, paperwork, etc...

They set me up with a prodigy meter and tiny lancet.
When I told her I was having trouble each morning getting the lancet right (sometimes using 3 strips before I got the meter to read correctly)...she gave me "soft touch" lancets...maybe I'm still doing things wrong but I still had trouble this morning. It frustrates me because my skin is already very sensitive from the Lupus. My hands hurt every morning when I get up...so I tried the lancet on my legs. That just results in tiny bruises which started looking like track marks, but not enough blood for my strips to pick up.

Then...
I think the Metformin is causing issues...but I'm willing to wait it out for a while
My primary care had put me on steroids...which the pharmacist says will mess with my numbers. She was disappointed that we can't get a baseline until I'm off the steroids.

I deal with chronic, intense pain almost daily from other issues...I can't tell if it's the Metformin causing my muscles to hurt so bad, and making me so tired...or is it the Metformin or IBS messing with my tummy?

According to my last tests, my liver numbers were off...then the pharmacist said that during the night, my liver will dump too much sugar into my system, so she wanted me taking the Metformin at dinner. But I've noticed I've been waking up in more pain than usual. Not sure if it's the meds??

Life has been good to me and I'm blessed to have found a great doctor and care team...I'm sure we will work it out. It's just a bit frustrating.

[MsTinkerbelly]

Holy heck Kenna, that is a lot to deal with all at once!

I would not want to give you any advice, as your issues probably play off of one and other...hard to pin point one thing that will help. But... I will say once again that metformin is not for everyone, i can't take it and i have a cast iron stomach!

Also you mentioned your blood sticks for your meter...i can only draw blood on my ring and small fingers, and if you stick on the sides about a quarter inch below the nails they bleed pretty good with minimal pain later, as you rarely touch those areas. I hope you are using something that springs forward and sticks you, rather than jabbing yourself...that is very difficult to do on a regular basis.

Blessings!

[TruTexan]

Kenna,
My diabetic nurse has told me to stick my fingers on the right side of thumb then move to different finger each day then go back to the thumb again and stick the opposite side and do that same thing on opposite side of the other fingers, that way no one finger gets stuck more than once a week. you can use both hands that way. It lessens the issues with pricking the nerves on the bottoms of your fingertips and causing nerve damage. She says it's the correct way to take your blood sticks. And Ms. Tinkerbelly is right, they do bleed the right amount there and you can always squeeze your finger to get more blood out to soak up to read. Try that see if it helps.

And if you have IBS , taking metformin can cause it to be more of an issue in my opinion, because metformin is widely known for causing loose bowels by itself. So that can be a contributing factor you may wish to discuss with your doctor. But always eat when taking metformin because you don't want a sudden blood sugar drop.
I take metformin during breakfast and at supper time... so 2x a day for me and I make sure I take it when I eat or there shortly after.

I'm sorry you are going through so much, I wish there was more I could do, but that's all between you and your doctors and care team. I can't speculate anymore than I have. I wish you wellness Kenna.

[Logicaly]

I have to say if you feel that your metformin is making you sick or worse in some way then listen to your body on that and make your doctor listen. I ended up in the hospital for almost a week due to an intolerance to metformin. I kept feeling worse and worse and my doctors told me to just wait a few more weeks. Needless to say it didn't do me any good and I should have forced the doctors to listen.

I am taking insulin now and I am so much better. I feel alive again. I have the opportunity to eat all the right and healthy things and exercise right and maybe eventually even get off the insulin.

[bright_arrow]

Originally Posted by Kenna

I have a new, awesome primary care doc who has immediately set me up with an in-house, special pharmacist/diabetic class...(unlike the delays and mess ups when I worked for the hospital and then the state Medicaid office...both of which couldn't get it together regarding employee benefits or diabetic supplies) ...

I've had two, one hour meetings with my pharmacist where she goes over my meds in consideration to my other health concerns, nutritional stuff, paperwork, etc...

They set me up with a prodigy meter and tiny lancet.
When I told her I was having trouble each morning getting the lancet right (sometimes using 3 strips before I got the meter to read correctly)...she gave me "soft touch" lancets...maybe I'm still doing things wrong but I still had trouble this morning. It frustrates me because my skin is already very sensitive from the Lupus. My hands hurt every morning when I get up...so I tried the lancet on my legs. That just results in tiny bruises which started looking like track marks, but not enough blood for my strips to pick up.

Then...
I think the Metformin is causing issues...but I'm willing to wait it out for a while
My primary care had put me on steroids...which the pharmacist says will mess with my numbers. She was disappointed that we can't get a baseline until I'm off the steroids.

I deal with chronic, intense pain almost daily from other issues...I can't tell if it's the Metformin causing my muscles to hurt so bad, and making me so tired...or is it the Metformin or IBS messing with my tummy?

According to my last tests, my liver numbers were off...then the pharmacist said that during the night, my liver will dump too much sugar into my system, so she wanted me taking the Metformin at dinner. But I've noticed I've been waking up in more pain than usual. Not sure if it's the meds??

Life has been good to me and I'm blessed to have found a great doctor and care team...I'm sure we will work it out. It's just a bit frustrating.

I went from Metformin to Metformin ER [Extended Release] and while it initially causes tummy problems, it seems to lessen [eventually]. My diabetic educator also told me that eating sugary stuff + metformin = increased tummy problems.

My liver enzymes were elevated last time they took blood for my A1C and the test after that, and then all was okay after they did a sonogram, etc. Tests came back clear.

I have an initial appointment in the next few weeks with a female doctor that specializes in OBGYN but also is a GP and familiar with diabetes. All-in-one for me and she is in my network so hoping she is pretty awesome. I've been haphazard with my meds but eating better than I ever have (with the occasional boba tea night) and getting back to exercise so I am crossing my fingers and hoping a lot my A1C has dropped from the 9.9 it has raised to.

[Logicaly]

My journey with diabetes has certainly been interesting. What I was originally told was Type 2 is actually Type 1. The doctor insinuated that because of their misdiagnosis originally with the meds they put me on it most likely made things worse for me. At this point I will be insulin dependent for life. She said there is really not much known as to how it happens. Since it runs in my family line it's a good chance that my genes caused it. I can own it though and say up until recently I wasn't a super healthy eater.

So going forward it is all about managing it as best as I can. I am eating more salad then I have ever eaten in my life. I am exercising a ton and just trying to be healthy in general. As always I say though listen to your body and if you feel something is off push your doctor to listen.

[Kenna]

Originally Posted by bright_arrow

I went from Metformin to Metformin ER [Extended Release] and while it initially causes tummy problems, it seems to lessen [eventually]. My diabetic educator also told me that eating sugary stuff + metformin = increased tummy problems.

My liver enzymes were elevated last time they took blood for my A1C and the test after that, and then all was okay after they did a sonogram, etc. Tests came back clear.

I have an initial appointment in the next few weeks with a female doctor that specializes in OBGYN but also is a GP and familiar with diabetes. All-in-one for me and she is in my network so hoping she is pretty awesome. I've been haphazard with my meds but eating better than I ever have (with the occasional boba tea night) and getting back to exercise so I am crossing my fingers and hoping a lot my A1C has dropped from the 9.9 it has raised to.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for ya!
I had been on the extended release... but since my last post it caused me major issues, so they recently switched me to Actos. I'm not familiar with it but seems I'm tolerating it well so far. I don't wake up with so much muscle pain.... but with everything going on, it's hard to judge if pain is disability related or medication induced.

Just Monday my doc sent me for special tests on my liver ("numbers jumped high since last labs) and an echocardiogram on heart for recently diagnosed chronic tachycardia.

The last day of February, I met the new "Lupus doctor" (rheumatologist) who put me on antibiotics and wants to "dump me on" Plaquinil (spelling?)...

Today I got approved for a special pharmacy program where six of my nine meds will cost only $20 total....including the Actos and Lidocaine patches.

I can certainly say that my tummy sure is better on the Actos. ...The Metformin was so bad that I stopped taking it about 2 weeks before my follow up with my diabetes coach and doctor.

I do hope the Actos keeps my numbers down like the Metformin had. For years I've struggled with the thought of "I don't want to be as bad as Gramma was."...

At least I haven't been on steroids in a couple months...
And I've been trying hard to eat better, especially at breakfast.

They tested my A1C last week....I won't know the update until next follow up in 3 weeks.
I hope the month that I had to do the "on again off again" with the Metformin to control side affects, that it didn't drive my numbers back up. Dr. A will not be happy.

[bright_arrow]

Originally Posted by Kenna

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for ya!
I had been on the extended release... but since my last post it caused me major issues, so they recently switched me to Actos. I'm not familiar with it but seems I'm tolerating it well so far. I don't wake up with so much muscle pain.... but with everything going on, it's hard to judge if pain is disability related or medication induced.

Just Monday my doc sent me for special tests on my liver ("numbers jumped high since last labs) and an echocardiogram on heart for recently diagnosed chronic tachycardia.

The last day of February, I met the new "Lupus doctor" (rheumatologist) who put me on antibiotics and wants to "dump me on" Plaquinil (spelling?)...

Today I got approved for a special pharmacy program where six of my nine meds will cost only $20 total....including the Actos and Lidocaine patches.

I can certainly say that my tummy sure is better on the Actos. ...The Metformin was so bad that I stopped taking it about 2 weeks before my follow up with my diabetes coach and doctor.

I do hope the Actos keeps my numbers down like the Metformin had. For years I've struggled with the thought of "I don't want to be as bad as Gramma was."...

At least I haven't been on steroids in a couple months...
And I've been trying hard to eat better, especially at breakfast.

They tested my A1C last week....I won't know the update until next follow up in 3 weeks.
I hope the month that I had to do the "on again off again" with the Metformin to control side affects, that it didn't drive my numbers back up. Dr. A will not be happy.

Without meds, my fasting is averaging 250. Since the A1C is every three months, I imagine not being on it for a month will have an impact.

I had managed to get my number down to 7.8 but then I was no longer being held accountable and not managing my meds well so it jumped up again. I just met with my new primary and she was very nice, she can fill my meds, and I went in for bloodwork for my A1C so we'll see! I am assuming they will call me because we never scheduled a F/U appointment.

I have never heard of the new med you're on but I am glad that you got them discounted!

[Kenna]

Originally Posted by bright_arrow

Without meds, my fasting is averaging 250. Since the A1C is every three months, I imagine not being on it for a month will have an impact.

I had managed to get my number down to 7.8 but then I was no longer being held accountable and not managing my meds well so it jumped up again. I just met with my new primary and she was very nice, she can fill my meds, and I went in for bloodwork for my A1C so we'll see! I am assuming they will call me because we never scheduled a F/U appointment.

I have never heard of the new med you're on but I am glad that you got them discounted!

Actos = Pioglitazone...I hadn't heard of it but am willing to give it a huge try. I know my coach is doing her best to help me have more "good days" instead of struggles. She knows what I go thru with my other heath issues and works closely with me to overcome barriers. Unlike one of my specialists who has been an ass (to say the least) about the new meds he switched me to, after insulting and contradicting the other specialist. (He even argued with me when I said I had too many prescribers, that I wanted to coordinate with my coach (who's a pharmacist) and Primary Care.)

Yes, I was very happy to get approved for my discounted RX's ...especially with the cost of the patches and Plaquinil...I've been very fortunate to have found an amazing Care Team who have helped me navigate things and cope.

[MsTinkerbelly]

Originally Posted by Kenna

Actos = Pioglitazone...I hadn't heard of it but am willing to give it a huge try. I know my coach is doing her best to help me have more "good days" instead of struggles. She knows what I go thru with my other heath issues and works closely with me to overcome barriers. Unlike one of my specialists who has been an ass (to say the least) about the new meds he switched me to, after insulting and contradicting the other specialist. (He even argued with me when I said I had too many prescribers, that I wanted to coordinate with my coach (who's a pharmacist) and Primary Care.)

Yes, I was very happy to get approved for my discounted RX's ...especially with the cost of the patches and Plaquinil...I've been very fortunate to have found an amazing Care Team who have helped me navigate things and cope.

There is currently a lawsuit regarding Actos and bladder cancer, so maybe look up what signs you should watch out for and just be cautious. I was put on Actos several years ago and i had problems with weight gain and stomache pain.

I am currently on insulin only, as i don't tolerate (or frankly trust) all the new medications touted as the next new "wonder drug".

[Kenna]

Originally Posted by MsTinkerbelly

There is currently a lawsuit regarding Actos and bladder cancer, so maybe look up what signs you should watch out for and just be cautious. I was put on Actos several years ago and i had problems with weight gain and stomache pain.

I am currently on insulin only, as i don't tolerate (or frankly trust) all the new medications touted as the next new "wonder drug".

Thank you, Ma'am. .Good information to know. My coach promoted Actos as "no side effects as like Metformin"...I'll mention this to her during our next meeting.